THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Siéntese. Bienvenidos.
Thank you for coming. Welcome to El Jardin de las Rosas. It's a great
place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. As a matter of fact, I've been looking
forward to celebrating this so much that we decided to have our own Cuatro
de Mayo. (Laughter.)

Thanks for coming. Welcome. I'm honored to celebrate this important
holiday with you all. On Cinco de Mayo, we remember our close friendship
with Mexico, and we honor and remember the many contributions Mexican
Americans have made to our nation.

I'm sorry Laura couldn't be here. She's coming back from having camped out
in a national park with high school classmates. I'm honored to be here
with the Attorney General of the United States, mi amigo, Alberto Gonzales.
(Applause.) Y tambien, the Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez.
(Applause.) Y su esposa, Edi. (Applause.) I'm glad to be here with Dr.
Emilio Gonzalez, Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and
Gloria. (Applause.) I appreciate my friend Emilio Estefan for arranging
this entertainment here in the Rose Garden. I welcome the Ambassador to
Mexico, Arturo. Bienvenidos. I'm glad you're here. Thanks for coming.
(Applause.)

As you can see, I'm standing up here with a mariachi band, initially from
Monterrey, Mexico -- Los Hermanos Mora Arriaga. Welcome. (Applause.)
Brothers and sisters -- I think you told me you had 13 brothers and -- 15
brothers and sisters. (Laughter.) We believe in family values.
(Laughter.)

I want to thank those who wear the uniform of the United States. Thank you
for serving. (Applause.)

Cinco de Mayo celebrates a great Mexican victory at the battle of Puebla.
On May 5, 1862, an outnumbered band of Mexican soldiers held their ground
against a professional European army. They triumphed against overwhelming
odds. The victory inspired Mexican patriots in their heroic fight for
liberty, and for democracy. Cinco de Mayo is a joyful day in Mexican
history, and it's an important milestone in the history of freedom.

The people of the United States are proud to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with
our Mexican neighbors. Our two countries continue to stand for the
principles that the Mexico army defended at Puebla. We believe that
democracy represents the true will of people. We believe that freedom is
God's gift to every man, woman and child on the face of this Earth.
(Applause.)

We believe that both our nations have a responsibility to share the
blessings of liberty. The United States and Mexico are bound by strong
family ties. Mexican Americans have enriched our culture by sharing their
musical and artistic talents. They've strengthened our economy by opening
new businesses and expanding trade. And they have made our nation more
hopeful by leading lives of faith and family.

Mexican Americans have also defended the United States by wearing our
nation's uniform. Today, Mexican Americans in uniform answered the call to
advance the cause of liberty, and this nation is really grateful for your
service and your sacrifice. (Applause.)

The patriotism of Mexican Americans reminds us that one of our greatest
strengths is the character and diversity of our nation's immigrants.
Immigration has made our land a great melting pot of talent and ideas. It
has made America a beacon of hope for people in search of a better life.

In Washington, we're now in the midst of an important discussion about
immigration. Our current immigration system is in need of reform. It is
not working. We need a system where our laws are respected. We need a
system that meets the needs of our economy. And we need a system that
treats people with dignity and helps newcomers assimilate into our society.
(Applause.)

We must address all elements of this problem together, or none of them will
be solved at all. We must do it in a way that learns from the mistakes
that caused previous reforms to fail. I support comprehensive immigration
reform that will allow us to secure our borders and enforce our laws, to
keep us competitive in the global economy, and to resolve the status of
those already here, without amnesty and without animosity.

Comprehensive immigration reform is a vital goal for our nation, and it is
a matter of deep conviction for me. I will continue to work closely with
lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to build a consensus for reform, so
Congress can pass, and I can sign, a comprehensive immigration bill into
law este a o. (Applause.)

The United States and Mexico share a great border, and we share a hopeful
future. Tomorrow, people on both sides of that border will celebrate
freedom and the courage of all who defend it. I wish you a happy Cinco de
Mayo. Que Dios los bendiga a las Estados Unidos y tambien Mexico.
(Applause.)